knopjesschildmos
Parmelina pastillifera
Parmelina pastillifera is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. The species forms greyish rosettes typically 4–8 cm across on nutrient-rich bark, particularly on ash and maple branches, as well as on rocks and tiles in exposed situations.
37
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmelina_pastillifera
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecanorales
Family
Parmeliaceae
Genus
Parmelina
knopjesschildmos belongs to the family Parmeliaceae, order Lecanorales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Parmelina pastillifera is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. The species forms greyish rosettes typically 4–8 cm across on nutrient-rich bark, particularly on ash and maple branches, as well as on rocks and tiles in exposed situations. It is readily identified by its characteristic button-like, blue-black outgrowths (isidia) that cover the lobes and often become dense in the centre of the thallus. The lichen occurs in Europe and Great Britain, where it is associated with well-lit habitats.
Parmelina pastillifera, known as knopjesschildmos, is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion in its limited range in South Africa. Air pollution and climate change are exacerbating the decline of this sensitive lichen species, which requires specific environmental conditions to survive.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Parmelina pastillifera occurs in Europe and Great Britain. It grows on well-lit, nutrient-rich or nutrient-enriched bark, particularly on the branches of Fraxinus and Acer, and also grows on siliceous rocks, roof tiles and memorials in similarly exposed positions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Parmelina pastillifera, known as knopjesschildmos, is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion in its limited range in South Africa. Air pollution and climate change are exacerbating the decline of this sensitive lichen species, which requires specific environmental conditions to survive.
Air pollution
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Urban development
Agricultural expansion
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Found in 37 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). knopjesschildmos (Parmelina pastillifera). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/knopjesschildmos